I'm looking for some recommendations on fabric stores to check out in the south Puget Sound area. I sew apparel and would love to find a place with a nice selection of fashion fabrics. I used to visit the Pacific Fabrics in Puyallup, but, now that it's closed, the only options I know of are my local JoAnn's (of which I'm a frequent shopper) or Seattle-area stores. I'd love to find and support a local, independent retailer in my neck of the woods. Have any recommendations on places I should check out in the greater Tacoma/Olympia area?

If all else fails, did you know
Bates Technical college has a fabric shopping tour to Portland area fabric stores almost every quarter. The ladies that go on think it's a pretty good deal, since there's no tax in OR.

------My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.

Yes, I agree with PP - go really south Puget Sound to Portland for good fabric shopping, lol.

Have you tried the Pacific Fabrics in Bremerton? Not one of their best locations, but different than Joann.
Also, a visit to Rochelles' Fine Fabrics in Port Orchard is always interesting. She's gone mostly over to the quilt side now, but still has a little room that contains the the last of the really nice garment fabrics she used to carry.

There's Billlie's in Chehalis. I haven't been to her shop, but she carries nice stuff at her booth at the Expo, so it's probably worth a trip.

The best fabric shopping in the South Sound, though, is once a year at the Expo in Puyallup.

In the Seattle area there is Nancy's Sewing Basket for finer fabrics and Pacific Fabrics, a local chain that carries a good selection of fashion fabrics. I heard that the Northgate store has even held corset making classes. The Bremerton Pacific Fabrics has few fashion fabrics and I was told they don't plan to bring much more in as it doesn't sell well. On Bainbridge Island there is Esther's that has some nice fashion fabrics. One more independant store I know of is Billie's in Chehalis (mentioned above,too.) I never have visited the store, either, but I have bought their fabric when they were at Sew Expo in Puyallup. As far as the big chain stores, the Tacoma Hancock Fabrics actually has a good selection of fashion fabrics. -- Edited on 8/26/11 2:14 AM --

Thanks so much, everyone, for your wonderful suggestions! I've made a list of these stores and plan to check them out over the coming weeks (especially once the sun sets and the rain sets in here in the PNW!).

Several of you mentioned Billie's Designer Fabrics in Chehalis, and since posting my query, I've seen several other very positive reviews of the quality and selection of fabrics available there. So I think I'm putting Billie's at the top of my must-visit-soon list.

Oh, and this past weekend, I was in Seattle, so made a trek to Pacific Fabrics in Northgate. It was AMAZING! They carry an extensive selection of all sorts of beautiful fashion fabrics, along with nice quilting and home decor fabrics, notions, books, patterns, etc. It's really a sewer's paradise! I must have walked in circles for about a half hour -- all starry-eyed and not sure where to even start -- before a kind associate took me under her wing and offered some great suggestions on the next project I'm taking on. She, along with another associate, really took a good deal of time to learn about my project and concept and, literally, helped me pull bolts and notions from the shelves to design my look. I highly recommend this place and am already planning my next visit.

Thanks so much again, everyone - it'll be neat to see if this thread continues to grow with more suggestions for us!

If you haven't already signed up for Pacific Fabric's mailing list - it's worth doing so. There will likely be a 20% off coupon for Labor Day coming.

Anyone been to the new reincarnation of the Outlet on Fourth? I kind of liked it as an outlet.

And for those considering that trek to Portland - I did just get an email from Pendleton reminding me that their month-long September sale has started. Everything in their mill store in Portland is on sale. I have been in past years - it's great.

Check out the local ASGs -- American Sewing Guild.
The Seattle chapters website is ASG.
Lots of local events you may be interested in and lots of neighborhood groups.

We have over 200 members - lots of potential sewing friends. There is a group that meets at the South Center Joann's once a month. In September, Lyla Messinger is giving an all day seminar and there is a 3 day sewing retreat in October.

Canvas Works in Olympia has a fabric section. They're about a block away from Capitol Lake, I think on Water street? Anyway, their fabric section makes up a fairly large part of the physical store, thoug I can't speak to the quality of their selection, because I lived in Oly before learning to sew. I bought yarn/knitting paraphanalia from them a couple times, but their hours weren't convenient for me, and I got lousy customer service (broke hippy college student in a shop that seemed geared towards an older and wealthier clientele).

The 2nd floor of the U-District Goodwill (in Seattle) has an entire rack of vintage fabric. And by fabric I mean primarily yardage of unused fabric, with a few tablecloths and bedding sets mixed in. Its in their fancy vintage stuff pullout section.

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